St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1887-12-17
THE LATEST FAD.
vv,Su1<crOS SOCIETY RUN MAD
ON HORSEBACK RIDING.
Some of the Noted Equestrians of the Cap
;tal-Historian Bancroft and Librarian
spofford the Pioneers i'll Ihis ENercise-
xIambers of the Cabinet as Riders.
IC0Dy1i9Hted, 1851

morning, and g out for canter over the
country roads. No one is III the fashion I'M
less he begs, hires or buys riding horse.
The society people especially have taken
bold ofthe new wrinkle with a great deal OF
avidity, and already the propretors OF two
LARGE riding academies are rapidly making
their fortunes teaching society how TO rlde'
Horseback riding however, has long been
a favorte pastime with the prominent men
of Washington. The pioneers of this health
FIJI exercise are Historian Bancroft and Lii
brarian Spofford. Old Mr.. Bancroft for
wears has been in the habit OF taking an
early morning ride, and his well-known ap-
nearance on horseback has become familiar
object to residents along the county ROADS.
Although his age would seem TO exclude
him from such a violent exercise, yet he
contends that this daily outdoor amuse-
ment is one Of the causes of his good
health. He can be seen in all weathers
sunshine rain, snow or storm, rldlng
unconcernedly along his favorite roads
He is generally accompanied by his groom
who silently rides behind him, for the old
gentlemen when he canters along seems to
give himself up to deep thought, and rarely
speaks when he rides. His riding habit
is a model of good taste and style. He,
however has only one style Of hat or rather
can. He wears a sombre-hued jockey cap
with a deep visor of dark blue cloth. 1t Is
of light material in the summer and early
fall but toward mldwinter the cloth cap
gives place to a sealskin Of the same mold,
but with heavy ear tabs Of the same material.
OF late Librarian Spotford has often accom-
panied the historian on his early morning
jaunts, but Mr. Bancroft prefers to ride alone,
when he can give himself up to his medita-
tons. Both the historian and the librarian
are excellent iudees of horset1esh, and have
two of the finest steeds in the city.
Nearly every one of the Cabinet officials
is fond of horseback riding and can be
seen almost daily in the saddle. Secretary
Bayard loves good horse and good ride
His family all take after him, and his daugh-
tiers are all noted hor>ewomen. His eldest
daughter, who died SO suddenly short time
ago, was the finest eque>trienne in the city.
Her praises were often sung in the press,
and her daring feats at hurdle jumping and
cross country riding furnished many tale
Secretary Fairchild has lately taken to
MISUNDERSTANDING for his health. The con-
fnement of the treasury broke down his
predecessor, and the doctors told Mr.. Fair
child that the best exercise he could take
was horseback riding and now the little
chief of the Treasury Department spends
several hours every day in the saddle. He
takes it more as medicine than pleasure
and it is rather funny to see him go jogging
along over the asphalt, wearing face that
denotes he is not on pleasure bent.
Like Secretary Fairchild, Secretary Whit
ney has taken to horseback riding for his
health also. Some years ago the Secretary
of the Navy suffered from overwork, and
his physician ordered him to buy horse
and saddle. Mr.. Whitney did so, and since
that time has become quite devoted to riding.
His wife has also appeared in the saddle, and
his young daughter, Miss Pauline, when she
comes home for the holidays, joins her father
and mother, especially on the fox hunts,
of the District.
But the equestrian Of the Cabinet is Secre-
tary Lamar. When he first entered the
council of advisers of the President he made
it rule to ride his thoroughbred Kentucky
sadd!e-horse to the White House every time
he went to Cabinet meeting. Secretary
Lamar is very absent-minded, and often
when leaving the White House forgot to
mount his horse, and used to lead him down
the path and some distance on the avenue,
walking, to the establishment of all the pc
destrians, in the middle of the street with the
horse demurely following him.
There is story trid me at the White
House not many days ago, the truthfulness
of which, however, | will not vouch for, but
give it for all it is worth. A furniture wagon
drove up to the front door, and two men
took out high-legged desk-one of those
stand-up bookkeeping desks seen in all
large ofices-and carried it into the execu-
tive mansion. l asked what it was for, and
one of the ushers replied with a sort of
knowing laugh: "Why, it is for the
President. Don't you know he is taking
lessons in horseback riding?" If this be the
truth the President must have only recently
taken to horseback riding. and no doubt the
desk is to stand up to. IF he is taking lessons
he does so at night, for no one has yet seen
him in the saddle. But he is advertised as a
patron of the new riding school lately
opened in w. shington.
1t is said that Mrs. Cleveland is an excel
lent equestrienne, and sits the saddle as
beautifully as she handles the reins of a
tally-ho coach. Mrs. Cleveland is passion.
ately fond of horsefesh, and embraces every
opportunity to drive. Since her return from
the West she has purchased light side-bal
buggy and fast stepping horse, and drives
herself in and out from her country place tt
the White House. She has good ridins
horse but has never yet ridden on horseback
in the city.
If it became necessary for the Senate tx
make parade on horseback it is more thar
likely that two-thirds of the members would
make fine showing in the saddle-at leas
half of them are noted horsemen.
Senator Wade Hampton can be seen al
most daily on the avenue during the session
of Congress, riding one of the finest horses il
the city. Senator Hampton, as every on
knows, only has one leg, and when b
mounts his horse he is obliged to have tw
grooms assist him in getting into the saddle
1t is strange that man who has to be LITE
into place can ride SO well, but he is soldier
and is no novice at it.
Senator Butler is another one-legged sena
tor who is. like Senator HamDt0n an eyper